Assessing Your Relationship's Value

How Much Is Your Relationship Really Worth?

When you enter into a relationship, you expect it to last — maybe even for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, lifestyles change and so do people. After a while, flaws and cracks inevitably start to show and you may find yourself dedicating more and more time to relationship maintenance. At some point, you may need to acknowledge the fact that your relationship no longer suits your needs; it’s at this point that you need to assess your relationship’s value.

In this way, a relationship can be a lot like a home: both are susceptible to wear and tear and both require a certain amount of upkeep. How much work is too much work, though? How do you know if your relationship just needs a little renovation or if the whole thing should be condemned? To help you out, here's a list of things you need to consider when assessing your relationship's value.

Check the foundations

When you’re assessing your relationship’s value, the first thing you need to check, as you would when buying a home, is the foundation. What is the foundation in a relationship? Well, you know all that garbage about trust being the foundation of every good relationship? There’s actually truth in all that rubbish. Trust doesn't necessarily mean that you tell her all your secrets. You don't need to share all the gory details about each and every one of your former flings. The important thing is that you're honest with each other. If you catch her telling half-truths about where she was last night or if you never give her your honest opinion about anything, it's a bad sign, and a clear indication that one of you doesn't trust the other. An absence of trust is cause for concern when assessing the value of your relationship.

Consider curb appeal

Looks aren't everything, but they aren't nothing either. If you're unhappy with your home's appearance, a fresh coat of paint and some minor renovations will usually do the trick. In a relationship, it's not quite so simple. That's why your partner's physical appearance is an important consideration when assessing your relationship's value. To some, it might seem shallow to evaluate your partner based on looks, but let's be real: Your level of attraction is going to dictate the terms of your physical relationship, and the physical component of your relationship has everything to do with every other component of your relationship. So go ahead! Ask yourself: How hot is she? What are the signs she'll look good in 20 years? Your answer will contribute to a more comprehensive idea of your relationship's value.

Conduct an inspection

Assessing the value of your relationship necessitates a thorough inspection of all the problem areas. Trouble is, once you've been in a relationship for a while, it can be hard to evaluate your situation objectively. For example, it might be hard to gauge how much fighting is normal. Periodic arguing, even the occasional blowout, is not unusual. Constant bickering, however, is a sign of serious problems. If you can't get through the day without making or hearing a nasty comment, it could suggest built-up resentment or even contempt. In architectural terms, your house is rotting, and it’s time to tear that sucker down.

Don’t forget to bring in the caravan when assessing your relationship’s value…